Students often report that their computer is "glitching." That could mean so many things!
We have found that Clearing Browser Cache fixes most problems in this case.
We recommend that they follow the directions below when they experience the glitches, or weekly. We recommend they do this on Friday when they shutdown their computer for the weekend. (I know, right?) Or consider Tuesday: Take Out Your Trash - Clear Your Cache!
As always, if your student is experiencing problems with their computer, please report the issue using this form. https://bit.ly/2G3WIud
Please add oneilla@fccps.org (Alane O'Neill our TJ Technology Paraprofessional) to your list of contacts to ensure you receive a response to your request in your inbox and not your SPAM or JUNK folder. Please respond to any answers so we can continue to grow our remote support knowledge base.
Taking Care of your Computer
Your may need to use your computer while plugged in and charging
This will extend the life of the battery. Currently, this is the last year that we will be using most of these computers. Some of them do not hold the charge very well, especially using the video conferencing all day!
1. Close the lid when not using the computer
2. Charge it during lunch/recess
3. Shutdown the computer each day. Make sure the spinning light goes away before closing the lid.
Please limit the number of tabs you have open to the ones required
The more tabs or Chrome windows you have open the harder your computer needs to work. There won’t be enough memory and the battery will lose charge much faster.
We recommend that you shut down the computer each night to let it rest, cool down, and refresh its memory.
To Conserve Battery Usage and Your Eyes
1. Turn off the keyboard backlighting. Press and hold F5 until it turns all the way off
2. Reduce the display brightness (which is better on the eyes as well). Press and hold F1 until the screen is quite dark. Press F2 until the brightness is the correct level.
3. Consider buying blue light blocking glasses.
4. Make sure the computer is as close to the router / extender / access point as possible.
We also recommend that you Clear Cache every week or whenever the conferencing software acts “glitchy”
For instance, the sound is jumbled, the video won’t display, or they are kicked out of a conference.
When Using Headphones
Turn the volume all the way down (F11) and then increase it gradually(F12) until you can hear comfortably without hurting your ears.
Clear Chrome Browser Cache
1. Open the Chrome Menu (upper left corner of the screen)
2. Select Clear Browsing Data...
3. Change Time Range to All time
4. Leave one box Checked: Cached Images and Files.
5. Select Clear Data button
6. Restart the computer
7. Video is available here: https://bit.ly/3maxuLA
Be very careful when eating or drinking near your computer
1. Never eat directly over your computer.
2. Never have an open container of liquid near your computer. Turn away from the computer when opening a water bottle or drinking
3. We lost our first computer to water damage this year on the second day of classes!
Never spray anything on the computer
1. Use a barely damp, soft cloth to clean the screen
2. Squeeze extra liquid out of a wipe before cleaning the keyboard or case